Tilting x-ray table top with compensating springs



Jan. 11, 1955 A. LIPPHAUS ETAL 6 TILTING X-RAY TABLE TOP WITH COMPENSATING SPRINGS Filed Aug. 5, 1952 ZStzeets-Shee'; 1

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Jan. 11, 1955 A. LIPPHAUS ETAL 2,699,367

TILTING X-RAY TABLE TOP WITH COMPENSATING SPRINGS Filed Aug. 5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. ART/(UR Lip i/Aw BY 1210 )SEMMLEB flaw nan/121m VJIEQSE United States Patent TILTING X-RAY TABLE TOP WITH COMPENSATING SPRINGS Application August 5, 1952, Serial No. 302,754 Claims priority, application Germany August 16, 1951 6 Claims. (Cl. 311--6) In medical X-ray investigation use is made of a table for supporting the patient, of which the board can turn about a horizontal axis, so that it is adapted to be tilted from the vertical position into, for example, the horizontal position and, furthermore, to occupy one of a plurality of intermediate positions.

When a patient has to be X rayed, he either stands in front of the vertically positioned board of the table or, if such is required by the investigation, he is stretched on the table which is in an inclined or horizontal position. The board may be moved from one position into another by transmission of a rotational movement of an electric motor or a handle. The transmission ratio is required to be fairly considerable, since considerable forces have to be overcome, particularly if the patient stretched on the table is also moved.

Motor drive is frequently not used on account of the high cost involved. Driving by hand, furthermore, has the advantage that the board may be turned more rapidly. However, in this case, it must be ensured that the board of the table is balanced. It is possible for the board of the table to be moved either alone or with the patient stretched on it. In each case the force to be used is preferably not greater than about 30 kgs.

The present invention relates to a table for supporting the patient, of which the board can turn about a horizontal axis for use in medical X-ray investigation, the reaction forces for balancing the board of the table being provided by springs. According to the invention, between the board and the support for the table, provision is made of a compression spring, which is comtnrned into the horizontal position and which are stressed at the same time over a part of the tilting movement which is preferably adjustable.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing, by way of example, some embodiments of a supporting table according to the invention.

Fig. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 1a and lb are modifications of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 serves to illustrate in which ranges the different springs are active;

Fig. 3 shows a diagram from which the forces occurring in tilting may be derived;

Figs. 4a and 4b are perspective views of Fig. 1 showing the different positions that the springs may occupy.

In the figures, corresponding parts have the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1, the board 1 of the table is arranged to be rotatable about a horizontal shaft 2 secured to a support 4. The board may be moved from the position shown through an angle a, which is preferably a little larger than 90. The extreme position is indicated by the inclined line passing through the axis of rotation. As is common practice, an X-ray screen or an apparatus for stomach investigation, and the X-ray tube may be provided on each side of the board 1. Their positions are indicated by 3 and 3a respectively.

A compression spring 5 is provided between the board 1 and the support 4. The spring 5, which is compressed, exerts pressure for moving the board out of the vertical position, so that a tilting movement about the shaft 2 is initiated. After leaving its vertical position, the tilted board is successively subject to the action of at least two other springs 6 secured to the support 4 and to the board 1. The support may be secured with the use of an arm 7, as shown in Fig. la, an arm being provided for each spring, or both springs may be connected to the support with the use of one arm, as shown in principle in Fig. lb. The latter arm has the particular shape shown in the latter figure to prevent the sprmgs from being ment of the board. The spring 6 is stretched first, while the point of attachment 8 of spring 6a to the arm 7 shifts in the slot 9 as the tilting movement proceeds. Finally, spring 6a is also stretched. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1a, the moment at which each spring becomes active may be chosen by giving the arms 7 different positions. For this purpose they may be connected to the manner which facilitates modification of the springs may be secured centrally to the lower end of the board 1 as shown in Fig. 4b, or a pair of springs may be provided on each side of the lower end of the board as shown in Fig. 4a.

In Fig. 2, it indicates the angle through which the board 1 may be tilted. Upon leaving its vertical position, the board is first subject to the action of compression spring 5. This range is indicated by an arrow 8'. The movement of the board from the vertical position is supported by the compression spring and then follows a range as indicated by a double arrow 9, in which neither of the springs is active. Thereafter one of the two extension springs becomes active. The position of the board at which this takes place may be chosen by displacing the arm 7. Consequently, one extension spring only is active in the range indicated by a triple arrow also becomes active. If necessary, vide more than two springs subject to tensile strain.

The reaction forces occurring during the different phases of the tilting movement are shown in the diagram of Fig. 3. They are plotted vertically as a function of the angle of rotation a. From the initial position at first the force of the compression spring 5 co-operates to set the board of the table into motion. Then follows the portion in which no use is made of the springs. This range is indicated by 11. Subsequently, one of the tensile springs becomes active, of which the tensile force is opposite to the direction of movement. The second tensile spring is still inactive at this moment and does not become active until point 12 of the curve it is possible to pro- O is required to vary the po s1t1on of the board may be readily overcome.

Qwing to the possibility of adjusting the diiferent springs, more particularly by the choice of the moment at position, second and third tension springs connected between said table and said support, and means for successively biasing said second and third springs when said table is rotated from a vertical to a horizontal position.

2. A medical X-ray table as claimed in claim 1 in which a pair of arms secured to the support and occupying different positions are secured to the second and third tension springs.

3. A medical X-ray table as claimed in claim 2 in which one of said arms has a slot therein in which one of said tension springs is slideable.

4. A medical X-ray table as claimed in claim 1 in which the tension springs are connected to a central portion of the lower end of said table.

5. A medical X-ray table as claimed in claim 1 in which the tension springs are secured on opposite sides of the lower end of said table.

6. A medical X-ray table adapted for rotation over an angle on from a vertical position to a position slightly 20 below the horizontal, comprising a support including a horizontal shaft, a table connected to said support for rotation about said horizontal shaft, a first compression spring connected between said table and said support, said first spring being biased when said table is in a vertical position and being operative to urge said table into rotation over a first portion of said angle a, second and third tension springs connected between said table and said support, none of said springs being operative over a second portion of said angle a, means for successively biasing said second and third springs as said table is rotated over third and fourth portions of said angle 0: whereby one of said tension springs is operative to oppose the rotation of said table over said third portion of said angle or and both of said tension springs are operative to oppose the rotation of said table over said fourth portion of said angle a, whereby rotation of the table is balanced by the operation of said springs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,526,879 Kizaur Oct. 24, 1950 

